I work at a place that has Muzak satellite radio piped in, which means that I listen to a handful of songs by a couple of dozen artists. There really isn't too much variety involved.
I believe that the channel we listen to is "Adult Alternative," and it seems like whomever is in charge of the programming for the channel goes though phases. Back in the day, Pete Yorn would get some songs in the mix, as would Ben Folds Five. I always enjoyed when they'd get some play, but I haven't heard either for quite some time.
There was also a time when you'd hear quite a few songs from Ryan Adams' Gold. Not that long ago, the soundtrack for I Am Sam was all the fashion. But lately, things have taken a sinister turn.
»»
So just over a year ago I had a pretty major break-up. I mean, I'm talking "completely cut out of my life"-type break-up. And at the time it seemed completely justified. Of course, looking back now, I see that I completely overreacted.
I behaved badly. I blew things out of proportion. And here, a year later, I regret the whole thing. And not to pass the buck, but I firmly believe that the majority of the blame rests on the blocky shoulders of MTV. Y'see, last year the VMAs were held in Las Vegas, and if they hadn't been, I'm pretty sure that the break-up never would have happened.
»»
Lately when it comes to music I've been digging two things; one of them is demos.
My interest in demos is nothing new. A couple of years ago, I listened to nothing but Elliot Smith demos for a solid two weeks. It wasn't my happiest period, but I was way mellow.
And about six months ago I was all about rap demo tapes. Listening to what got Nas and Gravediggaz signed reminded me of why I was a fan all those years ago.
But lately I'm more interested in demos from alternative artists. You can't go wrong with Ryan Adams, who's got more demos than albums. But he's sort of too easy. He's what I fall back on when I hit a wall in my searches.
»»
In February 2007, I set out on a mission; devote a week each to fifty-two albums that somehow got lost in the shuffle after I purchased them. I figured that by putting them in heavy rotation for seven days it would atone for the years of neglect they'd suffered.
And here we are, a year and two months later and I'm finally done. I actually finished listening to the last album on the list a month ago, but somewhere along the line I'd gotten behind on the write-ups—a month behind. Still, when that last day rolled around I was pretty happy to clear that final album from my iPod.
All in all, I think the project was a success. There were a few albums in my collection that were, up to that point, there just for show. But now I can not only say "that album sucks/rocks" but I can also suggest tracks that a person may enjoy.
»»
